Obituaries for July 1, 2019

Byrne, Holaday, Steele

Robert Leon Byrne, 88, of Nampa, Idaho, and a former Baker County resident, died June 13, 2019, at his home after a long illness.

There will be a graveside gathering Saturday, July 6, at 2 p.m. at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland, where son David and Bob will be interred next to his parents.

Bob was born on Sept. 7, 1930, at Sparta, Oregon, to Ralph Byrne and Gladys (Garrett) Byrne. He was their fifth child. He attended grade school at Goose Creek School and high school at Baker. He also served in the Army in Korea after the war.

Bob’s big passion in life was cars ... old or new, he loved cars! As an adult his lifetime jobs were selling cars with the exception of working at Sun Valley, Idaho, for a short time. He sold cars for Phillips-Long Ford in Baker for several years, and for Hand Ford Motor in La Grande for several years before moving to California and starting his own car lot. He moved his family to Nampa and brought his business there — Heartland Car and Tractor on Caldwell Boulevard — for many years. His last love affair with a car was his 1928 Dodge which he completely restored and drove around Nampa many times! He loved the honks and waves he got from people when he drove his beloved car.

Bob loved his family very much and he will be sorely missed. He is survived by five sons: Wayne, Randy, Tony and his wife, Kathy, Danny and wife, Cathy, and Larry; eight precious grandchildren; and his sisters, Betty Myers and Bonnie Dunn.

He was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents; his brothers, Joe and Tiny; and his sisters Freda, Myrtle and Ada.

Condolences can be sent to 1912 Tyler St., Nampa, ID 83686.

Don Holaday

Richland, 1953-2019

Don Holaday, 66, of Richland, died June 24, 2019, of a massive stroke.

A celebration of Don’s life will take place Saturday, July 6 at 1 p.m. at the Holaday residence in Richland.

Don was born on Feb. 20, 1953. He was an avid outdoorsman and the cornerstone of his family. He was also a master barbecuer, dog whisperer and master trainer. He was sure fish feared him. Don was a deluxe basketball player, a fun-loving old hippie and a hardworking man who loved his friends, family and wife, Maggie. The world is a lesser place without him. He will be sorely missed.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Don, the family suggests the Eagle Valley EMTs, Lifeflight or Air Life through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

Della Steele

North Powder, 1944-2019

Della Steele died peacefully June 24, 2019, at her home in North Powder, surrounded by her family.

As has become a Steele family tradition, family members will follow up the recent April celebration of her 75th birthday with a celebration of her life next summer, when family and friends can gather for music and dancing and sharing stories.

Della’s significant legacy is kindness and generosity. We’ve all laughed and told stories about what it took to make Della angry — those instances were rare.

She loved horses and dogs and cats and the occasional goat. And, all of the animals at the ranch enjoyed the same honored status.

She was a dancer — at the VFW, the Frontier or on the dressage court or with a Tai Chi stick. She loved the Crossroads Arts Center, the Baker County Library, Special Olympics, swimming at Radium Hot Springs and playing bridge. She effortlessly kept orchids blooming.

Della loved being on the ranch and cleaning the barn daily, yet rarely turned down an opportunity to travel. She’s traipsed through an astounding number of art museums in Europe and just three years ago spent a few days in the southern California desert so that she could see the Rolling Stones, the Who, Neil Young and Bob Dylan “before they died.”

Della was a good friend and an inspiring community member and the kind of mom and Nana who loved unconditionally yet cheered independence.

She was a convincing optimist and a skilled diplomat. We will all miss her grace, her style and her genuine caring. As her family and friends, we often recognize that Della Steele is truly the best person we’ve ever known.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads Carnegie Art Center through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences may be made at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com